RED BANK, New Jersey — Bruce Springsteen jammed with Joan Jett, country-rocker Joe Ely and a few of Elvis Presley's Sun Records contemporaries during a Thursday-night rock menagerie that raised money for local families affected by the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Local residents Jon Bon Jovi and filmmaker Kevin Smith also participated in the benefit for the Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County. The same musicians will return to the Count Basie Theatre on Friday (October 19) for the second of two shows.

Jon Bon Jovi performed a solemn acoustic version of "Livin' on a Prayer" with members of his band and a gospel choir during his short yet poignant set. He remarked that he feels "incredibly proud to be from New Jersey" after traveling the country following the attacks.

"It's a privilege to play for my neighbors in my backyard," said Bon Jovi, who wore a cowboy hat and brown jacket with stars and stripes.

After Bon Jovi's set, which included a cover of Dion's "Abraham, Martin and John," show MC Kevin Smith, the Red Bank-born filmmaker, quipped, "You really think he's seen a million faces and rocked them all?"

It was a night of interesting couplings and often-magical musical moments.

The concert evolved from what was to have originally been a tribute to Sun Records, the Memphis label that released early recordings by Elvis Presley and other rock and country pioneers during the 1950s. E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent, who produced the concerts, switched the focus in light of September 11's events.

As the Sun Records musicians — including Presley drummer D.J. Fontana and veteran rockabilly guitarist Sonny Burgess — were being introduced, Springsteen walked out unannounced to the delight of the crowd as the musicians kicked into Presley's "Tiger Man."

Springsteen and Jett later performed "Light of Day," the Springsteen-penned song she sang in the 1987 movie of the same title. The Smithereens, Phoebe Snow and former Rascal Felix Cavaliere performed along with local bands Highway 9 (signed recently to Epic Records), rap-rock outfit Borealis and the 75-member Pilgrim Baptist Church Gospel Choir of Red Bank.

The evening provided a "defining" moment" to Mike Mesaros. "I was thinking, 'What am I doing with my life? All I do is play guitar,'" the Smithereens bassist said backstage. "But growing up, I would listen to music and it would make me feel better. If the people here feel better after listening to this night of music, if they need to escape the events of September 11 for a night, then I feel better about playing music."

After Cavaliere delivered spirited versions of his Rascals classics "Beautiful Morning" and "People Got to Be Free," Springsteen reemerged with a makeshift band that at times included Tallent, E Street drummer Max Weinberg and Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken, who filled in for Weinberg on Springsteen's "My City of Ruins," a unreleased song Springsteen also played on the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" telecast in September (see "Mariah Carey, Springsteen, Other Stars Sing For America On Telethon").

"I wrote this song for Asbury Park, but songs are good for whoever needs them," Springsteen said of "Ruins."

The Boss performed "Bobby Jean" and "Thunder Road" before inviting practically every musician in the house onstage for "Stand by Me."

"It was great to see the old stars with the new stars," said Jessie Wassel, 19, of Rumson, New Jersey. "Seeing Bruce onstage was the highlight of the night."

Jersey musicians such as Springsteen and Bon Jovi routinely perform in area benefits, usually around the winter holidays. The last time Springsteen and Bon Jovi performed together on the Count Basie stage was during a 1998 benefit for the family of a Long Branch policeman slain on the job.

"These guys all remember where they came from, and they came from modest backgrounds," Red Bank Mayor Edward McKenna Jr. said. "They all take care of people who need to be taken care of."

The September 11 terrorist attacks affected about 159 families in Monmouth County. The two shows should raise more than $700,000 for the alliance, according to organizers.

For more information on and audience reaction to the attacks, including tips on how you can help, see "9.11.01: Moving Forward."

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